1 week Ago By Sixers Wire
WASHINGTON -- The NBA world received some shocking news in recent weeks with the Memphis Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins with nine games remaining until the playoffs and the Denver Nuggets firing Michael Malone a mere three games before the playoffs begin.Jenkins is the winningest coach in Grizzlies history while Malone has been in Denver for 10 seasons and led them to their first ever championship in 2023. When considering that both teams were in the hunt for home court advantage in the playoffs right now, it was certainly a shock to see them be let go.
Then again, it speaks to how volatile this industry can be. Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse can speak on it as he was let go by the Toronto Raptors after five seasons despite guiding that franchise to their one and only title in 2019."I think that—and it’s a pretty small fraternity and I certainly hate to see it happen," Nurse said of the firings.
"I don’t know. A lot of lives get affected. These guys are really good coaches.
Really proven coaches. I just think it’s, I don’t know, I think it’s difficult. I don’t think that changing all the time and all that kind of stuff is necessarily, good.
I think stability’s maybe a better answer."Both Jenkins and Malone have had to guide their team through some tough moments as both the Grizzlies and the Nuggets have dealt with injuries. However, and Nurse understands this more than anybody, injuries are going to happen and they're unfortunate in this league, but both Memphis and Denver were still successful teams.
"It certainly is--I think it’s certainly shocking news with what three or four games to go for them?" Nurse added. "They’re not in a bad position, right? I mean, they’re right there in the hunt. They’ve got great players.
Again, they got some injuries. I think that’s the hard part, too. It’s hard to be really good when one or two of your best players are out in a 5 people on the floor sport.
"What happens with both the Grizzlies and the Nuggets will be worth watching after the shocking firing of two successful head coaches. This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Nick Nurse discusses the firings of Michael Malone, Taylor Jenkins.
